Efficient load flow method for distribution systems with radial or mesh configuration

Abstract

The paper proposes a new and efficient method of solving the load flow problem of a distribution system. The method can be applied to both radial and mesh networks. A mesh network is converted to a radial network by breaking the loops through adding some dummy buses. The power injections at the loop break points (LBP) in the equivalent radial network are computed through a reduced order node impedance matrix. Unlike other methods, the shunt admittances are considered in the proposed load flow algorithm and the effect of load admittances is also incorporated in the calculation of power injections at the LBPs. Because of the inclusion of shunt admittances, the method can also be used to solve the load flow problem of some special transmission networks. Two different networks with various configurations were used to demonstrate the efficiency and convergence pattern of the method. The results obtained by the proposed method were also compared with some other methods.